Indonesia-PNG border talks

Indonesia-PNG border talks

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Officials from Indonesia and Papua New
Guinea held their regular border discussion meeting in Vanimo
this week, but did not touch on the release of the 12 people held
captive by separatist rebels in Irian Jaya.

The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming Border
Liaison Meeting and the planned development of a highway
connecting the two countries, officials said.

Moses Weror, a leader of the separatist movement living in
exile in Papua New Guinea, claims to have control over the
abductors. He is now demanding that the Indonesian government
recognize a separate Irian Jaya state in return for the release
of the hostages.

Alex Erubun, chief of Irian Jaya office overseeing border
affairs, told Antara that the hostage crisis was not discussed
because the Papua New Guinea government has nothing to do with
the rebels. (pan)